Steppe Landscapes Research Articles

Carabidae (Coleoptera) in agrocenosis of south-eastern Kazakhstan

The article presents the results of field research in 2019-2020 in agrocenoses of South-East Kazakhstan. As a result of the research, 27 species of ground beetles from 9 genera were identified. 1012 beetles from 670 soil traps were registered. The most common of them are types: Harpalus smaragdinus, Harpalus (Psedoophonus) griseus Panzer, 1796, Harpalus (Psedoophonus) rufipes DeGeer, 1774, Poecilus punctulatus Schaller, 1783, Poecilus sericeus sericeus Fischer von Waldheim, 1824, Poecilus versicolor Sturm, 1824, Amara aenea DeGeer, 1774, Calathus (Neocalathus) ambiguus ambiguus Paykull, 1790. The basis of the fauna of agrocenoses is made up of polytopic mesophilic beetles. Irrigated fields are rich in beetles and consist of hygrophils, mesophiles, eurybionts, while most of the beetles are zoophages, as well as mixed (zoophytophagous) and herbivorous (phytophagous) species. Carabidae is the largest group of land beetles in fields and steppe landscapes. Therefore, beetles with a mixed diet are found depending on the environment and air temperature. The complex of beetles in different fields in the study area corresponds to the species of beetles in all fields. During the growing season, the dietary composition of beetles changes: first, predatory beetles prevail, and finally, beetles with a mixed diet.

Landscapes, paleosols and climate in the north of Mongolia during the Holocene

Integrated paleogeographic studies have been performed on the loess and soil sequence in the lower reaches of the Orkhon R., northern Mongolia. The samples were taken continuously through the sequence and studied using a broad assortment of field and laboratory analyses. There are five paleosols exposed in the section under study crowned with the present-day soil and separated from each other by loess horizons or proluvial-deluvial deposits. The dating by radiocarbon proved the soil development beginning from the early Holocene. The two lower soils (PS4 and PS5) formed at that interval are noted for the minimum salinity and a considerable content of carbonates. The soils dated to the middle Holocene (PS3 and PS2) contain the least proportion of organic matter and increased salinity, which may be attributed to a dryer climate (even at optimum intervals) than in the early and late Holocene. In common with the present-day soil, the PS1 buried soil is characterized by negligible (or absent) salinity, and a noticeable accumulation of organic matter and carbonates indicative of favorable warm and relatively wet conditions. All the pollen assemblages indicate the dominance of grass vegetation; it may be safely suggested that open meadow and steppe landscapes, occasionally replaced by semi-deserts, prevailed in the considered region during the Holocene.

Назорейский обряд на Енисее. Часть I

The material of the article is one of the mysterious images engraved on the planes of the Oshkolskaya Pisanitsa. Pisanitsa objects are located 270 km North of the city of Abakan in southern Siberia. Oshkol Pisanitsa was discovered by the expedition of Dr. Aspelin (1887). Here in the steppe landscapes along the rivers Ah-YUS and Khara-YUS was the state of the medieval Kyrgyz. The proposed monument from the materials of N. Rybakov, published for the first time, the Author interprets it as a visual reproduction of the rite-the nazorean oath. From ancient manuscripts or new Testament literature, we do not find any detailed description or iconographic evidence of the oath. Our information is too sparse and limited to fragmentary references to this rite in the religious history of antiquity. However, one of the important components in the appearance of the Yenisei characters is a twisted braid that hangs from under the tiara along the back of the head to the shoulders. This factor, without exception, is characteristic of all the characters of the Gentiles and has a convergence with the dress of the sect of the Nazarenes-Gnostics of the II-III centuries. Long hair, as an ethnographic accent, allows you to solve semantic problems more successfully. The image is part of a group of characters of clergymen in robes, which are a fact of multilayered syncretism-an alien sermon in the steppes of modern Khakassia in the Middle of the VIII century. Structural combinations of the rite state the influence of the early Christian religion of Palestine, layered on Manichaeism. Sectarian groups at one time advanced to the medieval Kyrgyz on the Yenisei.

Геоинформационный анализ для целей формирования экологического каркаса и расширения сети ООПТ (на примере Ставропольского края)

The article discusses the issues of designing the ecological framework of the region with the help of geoinformation technologies. The research area is the Stavropol Territory, which has a developed network of specially protected areas, at the same time acting as a link between the protected areas of the North Caucasus and the steppe protected areas of the Caspian lowland. Quantum GIS was used as software in the work. The basis of the methodology was the geoinformation analysis of natural and anthropogenic factors. The design of the ecological framework is based on the method of automated spatial data processing. The initial data in the work were vector spatial data characterizing natural conditions and anthropogenic development. The analysis used the method of hexagonal operators (cells), the minimum territorial unit is a cell with a side of 5 km. The author Developed an algorithm for processing vector data based on the division of vector objects by geometric features. To group heterogeneous vector data, the method of assigning point values was used. Point values were assigned using the Jenkens classification algorithm, and an attribute data processing algorithm based on the “case” operator was used to automate the assignment of point values. The core of the method was the formula reflecting the diversity of natural and anthropogenic factors in the study area. On the basis of vector spatial data, an integral assessment of the territory was obtained, on the basis of which the elements of the ecological framework of the Stavropol territory were distinguished. On the basis of the designed ecological framework, promising areas for new protected areas were allocated. The paper proposes 9 natural-territorial complexes for promising protected areas. In identifying new protected areas, the author was guided by the principles of representativeness of the network and landscape approach, which is why promising protected areas were laid in the provinces of steppe and semi-desert landscapes, in which there is a shortage today.

Климатический рубеж в степной зоне Восточно-Европейской равнины: индикаторы и размещение

For the independent delineation of the climatic transition zone and its monitoring in steppe zone of the European part of Russia different indicators, such as climatic (observation data, reanalysis), spectral (NDVI) and model (evapotranspiration), are used. The complex characteristics of the climatic transition zone in the Orenburg oblast for dry and wet years are defined. A heat load on man and bioclimatic conditions changes in terms of human thermal comfort are explored according to the position of the climatic transition zone. It has been established that a climatic transition zone, resulted from sharp climatic differences, is a natural transitional strip with qualitative transformation of a dry steppe landscape on comparatively short distances. Climatic gradients of the annual and July precipitation are recommended for the identification of the climatic transition zone. The gradients of mean annual and July temperature identify climatic transition zone in particular areas bordering with dry steppe zones. Spectral and model indicators of the climatic transition zone (NDVI gradients and evapotranspiration) are qualitatively connected with July precipitation gradients. The vegetation index NDVI is beneficial to the evaluation of climatic transition zone sensitivity to climate aridization and anthropogenic contribution to desertification dry steppe landscapes. In terms of human thermal comfort, the climatic transition zone should be considered in area zoning under natural and climatic conditions of population activity.

The Attitude of Kazakhstani Millennials to Images with Traditional Overtones

The purpose of this article is to use questionnaires and interviews to gain insight into how the young generation in Kazakhstan perceives images with traditional overtones. Respondents were exposed to images of female figures with Central Asian facial features dressed in traditional Kazakh clothing, a male hunter holding a golden eagle, and a nomad's tent set against the backdrop of a steppe landscape. These images of pre-Soviet nomadic life—preliminarily designated by the interviewees as traditional Kazakh images—may serve as further attestation to "localization" by means of distancing from Soviet-era symbols. Qualitative and quantitative analysis are used to reveal the attitude of Generation Y individuals toward these images with Kazakh traditional overtones. Research analysis is used to map the preference of Kazakhstani youth as a response to the nationalization policy of the Nazarbayev regime. The findings lead to the important discovery that Kazakhstani cultural representation, which is essentially based on Kazakh pre-Soviet ethnic representation, is nonetheless shared by Kazakhstani youth of varying ethnicities.

Potential Soil Loss from Erosion on Arable Lands in the European Part of Russia

Quantitative assessment of the potential soil loss on arable lands in the European part of Russia (4 million km2) was performed at the regional level of generalization corresponding to the scale of 1 : 500 000. Mathematical modeling based on the use of the equation for calculating potential soil loss from erosion developed in the research Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Channel Processes of Moscow State University was applied for this purpose in combination with geoinformation technologies. The calculations were performed for a raster model of representation of spatial data, including slope gradients, slope lengths, soil properties, rainstorm precipitation, layer of snowmelt runoff, intra-annual distribution of rainfall, and land use types. New data were obtained on the erosional soil loss during the periods of snowmelt runoff and rainstorm runoff and on the total annual loss. An electronic map of erosional soil loss on the arable lands of the European part of Russia was developed. The average soil losses reach 11 t/ha per year under black fallow and 3 t/ha per year under crops with their soil-protective capacity. About a half of the territory is located under conditions of the potential soil loss of less than 0.5 t/ha per year, whereas soil loss of 10 to 15 t/ha per year predominates on the rest of the territory. The rates of soil erosion on arable lands in the European part of Russia decrease from the taiga-forest to the steppe landscape zones. The belt of maximum erosion intensity extends in the sublatitudinal direction within the subzone of mixed and broadleaved forests with a very high percent of plowed land. In addition, potential soil loss from water erosion was determined for 50 subjects of the Russian Federation in the studied area for black fallow and agrocenoses.

Почвы степных ландшафтов Шерловгорского рудного района (Восточное Забайкалье)

Почвы степных ландшафтов Шерловгорского рудного района (Восточное Забайкалье)

Effect of Climate Variability on Agro-climatic Potential of Landscapes of the Chechen Republic

The paper analyzes variability of the agro-climatic parameters of landscapes in the Chechen Republic, which are actively involved in agricultural production. The paper employs statistical and mathematical research methods. Due to climate aridization, agro-climatic conditions were found to deteriorate in 1965–2015 in the plain semi-desert and desert landscapes. Despite the improved thermal and moisture conditions in the plain steppe landscapes, the number of dangerous meteorological phenomena was observed to increase, including those detrimental to agriculture. Owing to the increased period of active vegetation of plants, agro-climatic conditions in the mountain-valley shrub-steppe landscapes of the republic improved compared to those observed in 1931–1960.

Latest Middle Miocene fauna and flora from Kumkol Basin of northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and paleoenvironment

We report 7 mammalian and 16 pollen species from the top of the Shimagou Formation in Kumkol Basin of northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, whose age is latest Middle Miocene (about 12.5 Ma). We erect a new species of fossil rodent, Spermophilinus kumkolensis sp. nov. The micromammalian fauna from the Kumkol Basin shares high similarities with contemporary faunas from Europe and northern China, indicating the existence of active zoogeographic exchange between Europe and northern Asia. Trees are dominant in pollen fossils, and herbs and shrubs are minorities. Broadleaved Quercus and Fagus predominate in tree pollens. The flora reconstructed by pollens displays a mixture of evergreen broadleaved forest and dry and warm steppe landscape. Compared to the modern vegetation in Yunnan region, the latest Middle Miocene flora in the Kumkol Basin represents a distinct vertical distribution. The ecotypes of the latest Middle Miocene fauna and flora in the Kumkol Basin, as a whole, are markedly different from those of modern animals and vegetation, the past climate being more suitable than today.

Selected results of landscape planning in Ust’-Koksinskii District of the Altai Republic

Landscape planning for the territory of the Ust’-Koksinskii district of the Altai Republic is carried out. Rather severe environment prevents formation of normal intercommunications in the area. The agro-industrial complex is one of priority and socially important sectors of economy. The livestock production was and remains traditionally prevailing industry of agricultural production. The largest spaces in the district are occupied by the agricultural land. Large number of natural sights and nature sanctuaries form a basis for tourism development. The concepts of target development for concrete territories in the district are defined on the basis of integration of maps of the development purposes for separate natural components. Mountain glacial-nival and mountain-tundra landscapes are recommended for withdrawal from current use. Mountain-tundra landscapes with larch-cedar forests are attributed to the preservation of the existing extensive use with the abandonment of certain uses. For mountain taiga landscapes, it is recommended that existing widespread use should be observed in compliance with environmental measures. Adjustable widespread use is recommended for mountain-valley landscapes. Territories with steppe landscapes in the intermontane basins belong to the category of regulated development of agriculture and tourism with a possible increase in activity and local improvement of disturbed areas.

Trends of disturbance of Volga-Ural steppe landscapes in oil-and-gas production and approaches to land use optimisation solutions

We study the factors and tendencies for a technogenic disturbance of Volga-Ural steppe region landscapes exposed to the influence of oil-and-gas production. The study area is 1500km2, including landscapes of more than 25 oil-and-gas fields with a various time of development and different alternatives and scales of technogenic impact. Survey of landscapes is as a part of the regional geo-ecological analysis, which incorporates the analysis of a group of natural factors that specify the attributes of the steppe zone, and classification and identification of the most large-scale and widespread environmental problems. We present the recommended algorithm for making a regional geo-ecological analysis which incorporates the ways, methods, and approaches to achieving ecological-subsoil-user balance in oil-and-gas production areas We show that such environmental problems as haphazard expansion of disturbed lands, fragmentation of landscapes, change in conditions of water reservoirs, intensification of exogenic processes, creation of temperature anomaly areas, reduction of the number of mammals are most likely to occur within oil-and-gas fields. So-called Technogenic geosystems of oil-and-gas fields form in the landscapes. Knowledge about the specific aspects and regularities in the functioning of these geosystems should be used to create prognostic scenarios of disturbed lands development and target-focused optimisation measures.

Barrier Functions of Soils of Natural and Technogenic Steppe Landscapes

We examine the fundamental tenets of the theory of geochemical barriers and their role in landscapes associated with an intensification of migration processes caused by an enhancement in anthropogenic activity, including in the sphere of industrial production. Observational evidence indicates that the flow of multiple elements in the form of substances, which is produced by the aluminum smelters of Khakassia and enters the landscapes through the atmosphere, contains the associations of hydrous migrating pollutants. According to their accumulation weight, they can be subdivided into the following groups: main pollutants—F, Al, Na and Ni whose content in the melt water exceeds the background level by factors of 10 to100, associated pollutants—Mn, Sr, Ca and Mg (exceeding the background levels by a factor of 10), and secondary pollutants—Si, Zn, Ba, K, Fe, V and Pb (exceeding the background level by factors of 1.8 to 7.0). For all the indicators analyzed, including toxicity, fluorine has been identified as the priority pollutant, and special emphasis was placed on it in the analysis of the migration mechanisms. The following geochemical barriers play an important role in the accumulation and migration processes of pollutants: biogeochemical (organogenic and humus-organogenic, and sorption), and physicochemical (sedimentation, evaporation, and multifunctional: solonetz). It has been found that in conditions of technogenesis, soil-geochemical barriers do not conform fully to a classical understanding of the function of the barrier, i. e. the transition of elements to an inactive or slightly active form, as they can accumulate not only in a slightly active, but also in an active form. It allowed us to expand the concept of geochemical barriers and define them as active barriers or starter barriers.

Environmental and landscape significance of steppe mega-projects

For the development of fundamental bases of strategy of rational steppe land use and its realization we analyzed the most significant steppe megaprojects - "Stalin's plan to transform the nature of forest steppe and steppe", the Virgin Lands Campaign of 1954-1963, Agrarian Reform of the 1990s. Both specific consequences of each project and their cumulative impact determining the modern appearance of steppe landscapes and their agro-ecological problems are established. The Altai Territory, primarily the Kulunda steppe, is considered a special arena of megaprojects in the steppes of Siberia, bearing all the features of the old-developed region, where the most positive effect of these projects was achieved. The interrelation between the main problems of modern steppe land use and the results of the considered megaprojects has been presented. The main problems of agrarian steppe land use have been revealed. Taking into account modern tendencies of development of agrarian and industrial complex three most probable scenarios of development of steppe agriculture landscapes are considered. They are neo-wildland, stagnation, and optimization scenario with adaptation of agricultural lands structure to natural-climatic conditions and requirements of market conditions, with concentration of intensive agriculture on the best lands and transformation of low-productive lands into long-term managed steppe fodder lands of adaptive animal husbandry.

PROBLEMS OF CREATING AN ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF AGRO-LANDSCAPES IN THE TERRITORY OF ALTAI KRAI

On the example of the territory of the Altai Krai, the article traces the consequences of destruction of the natural landscapes structure, the creation of artificial elements of their ecological framework of agricultural landscapes, which currently needs restoration and optimization. The thesis is substantiated that the ecological frame of the Altai Krai territory should be as close as possible to the structure of its natural landscapes, which will ensure the productivity of farmland. The most important elements of the ecological framework of forest-steppe and especially steppe landscapes are forest belts, for the creation of which it is necessary to use elements of a water-erosion network, tree species that form a zonal type of vegetation. Creating a system of protective forest plantations in combination with ponds and terrace embankments can increase crop yields up to 25-50 centners per hectare. Landscape planning can serve as a tool for creating an ecological framework for a territory.

Late-Glacial and Early Holocene environmental changes affecting the shallow lake basin of La Narce du Béage (Ardèche, Massif Central, France)

The sedimentary sequence of La Narce du Béage Basin is one of the few natural archives covering the last 18 ka cal. BP in the French Massif Central. This paper focuses on the palaeoecological reconstruction of environmental and climatic changes affecting this shallow periglacial lake from the Late-Glacial to the Early Holocene. After field surveys and geophysical mapping, two cores (cores A and D) were extracted and dated. Plant macrofossils, pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) and diatom assemblages were compared within the cores to study vegetation, temperature, pH, water level and ice cover changes through time. During the Oldest Dryas (18–14.75 ka cal. BP), climatic conditions were the coldest with a short ice-free season allowing the development of periphytic diatoms only (ecologically comparable to Arctic ones). A cold and dry steppe landscape – exposed to severe erosion – comprised an herbaceous and shrub flora (e.g. Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, Helianthemum, Ephedra, Hippophaë, Juniperus). Animal presence is suggested by coprophilous fungi. Periphytic diatoms and allochtonous pollen (Cedrus) underline windy conditions, and the possible erosion of neo-formed soils. Then, during the Bølling-Allerød interstadial (14.75–12.7 ka cal. BP), the ice-free season increased and some trees/shrubs (Salix, Betula and Juniperus) established locally within open grasslands. During the Younger Dryas (12.7–11.7 ka cal. BP) cooler conditions favoured steppe taxa again (Helianthemum, Achillea, Artemisia, Caryophyllaceae, Ranunculaceae) and erosion increased. The ice cover on the lake prevailed even if the conditions were not as cold as during the Oldest Dryas. During the Preboreal (11.7–10 ka cal. BP) Isoëtes echinospora and I. lacustris developed in the eulittoral zone of the lake, which was surrounded by a swamp forest (with Betula nana and B. pubescens). Pinus sylvestris, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana and trees from the Quercetum mixtum rapidly established in the uplands. Occurrences of Gaeumannomyces and Xylomyces fungi – both phytopathogens on broadleaved trees – and decreasing herb values indirectly hint at a close forest canopy. At the beginning of the Boreal (10 ka cal. BP), aquatic and semi-aquatic taxa developed on open water due to longer ice-free seasons (diatoms, micro-algae, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Potamogeton, Typha). The final terrestrialization towards a mire occurred as a consequence of the Holocene warming and related to water chemistry changes (acidification, eutrophication).

CHERNOZEM SOILS OF ZMIINY ISLAND – GEOGRAPHICGENETIC FEATURES AND TRENDS OF EVOLUTION

Problem Statement and Purpose. Even the first researchers of the nature of the small (20.5 hectares) rocky Zmiiny Island in the northwestern Black Sea region visually diagnosed the soil there with black earth. However, the first special studies of the genetic nature of morphology, substance-chemical composition and properties of the chernozem soils of the island were conducted only from 2003-2005. The aim of the research is to establish geographic and genetic features of the soils of the island as a mirror of its specific natural and ecological conditions. Data & Methods. The materials cited in the article were obtained as a result of carrying out a considerable amount of field and laboratory-analytical work and research and mapping of soils of Zmiiny Island. Peculiarities of formation of chernozem soils on the island morphology, substance-chemical composition and properties and trends of modern change are analyzed using the methodological principles of the processgenetic paradigm and the results of many years of research. Results. Chernozem soils on the island are formed on a low-strength (25-40, up to 50 cm) rocky-gravelly crust of weathering of dense acidic rocks under the cover of almost virgin steppe herbaceous vegetation and year-round salting from the sea, mainly chlorides and Na sulfates. About 60-70% of the biomass of grasses is concentrated in the horizon of the ground turf Hd + on the ground layer of the steppe fume Ns, which can store a significant amount of atmospheric moisture. Surface runoff of surface water on areas with herbaceous vegetation is practically absent, therefore soil erosion is not manifested. The peculiarity of the process of black soil formation on the island is the increase in the capacity of the humus and accumulative horizon and the profile in general upwards direction as the bio-productivity of herbaceous vegetation increases. The chernozem soils, which were formed, are short-profile, gravel-stony, noncarbonate, practically non-structural, acidic, varyingly saline and solonettious, but without solonetso-iliuvial profile differentiation. The humus content in the upper horizons is very high (10-12, up to 15-18%), it is typical of the chernozem composition of the Chumic acid : Сfulvic acid (2,5-3,3), but with a sharp dominance of the fraction of HA-1 (70% and more) and very low content (1-2, up to 3-4%) or lack of typical chernozem fraction of HA-2. It is established that there is a tendency of irreversible constant increase of the chernozem properties and characteristics in soils – increase in the capacity of the humus and accumulative horizon and the profile in general, increase of the amount of absorbed cation-bases and reserves of humus and the content of the fraction of HA-2, decrease of acidity, increase of reserves of nutrition elements of plants. Two scenario of soil evolution is forecasted – ecologically optimistic provided the herbaceous vegetation is kept, and ecologically threatening at three sites of violation and contamination of the surface and destruction/erosion of the cover of herbal vegetation within the economic functional zone. We recommend to take measures for preservation of the unique steppe landscape of the island with genetically peculiar chernozem soils.

Monitoring and certification of agricultural land by creating a bank of information resources for the rational use of steppe landscapes of the Western Ciscaucasia

The improvement of economic efficiency and reproduction of soil fertility require today a comprehensive study, qualitative characteristics, quantitative and cost assessment of the land. A certain imbalance exists today in the use of land and the preservation of soil fertility. Certification contributes to the rapid development and adoption of management decisions, as well as operational monitoring of agricultural landscapes. The subject of the research is the main integral indicators of soil fertility and degradation processes of agroecological monitoring in the system of land evaluation procedures within the steppe landscapes of the Western Ciscaucasia. The authors have identified the need for a number of measures: to analyze the structure of the lands of administrative districts, which are part of the IV accumulative plain landscape of the Chelbas and Beisug rivers basins with plowed steppes in 2017, to monitor the main integrated indicators of soil fertility of agricultural land steppe landscapes of the Western Ciscaucasia, to substantiate the approval of form “Passport of quality of soils of Krasnodar territory» by legislation.

Natural background and anthropogenic drivers of vegetation cover changes in pasture landscape: the case of Central Mongolia

The article analyzes natural, first of all, geomorphological and lithological-edaphic conditions and anthropogenic (increase in livestock and change in the structure of the herd) factors determining the degradation of vegetation in the landscapes of the desert steppes of Mongolia. The sources for the assessment of vegetation cover were the images of Landsat 5 and 8 by which were calculated NDVI index, a joint index of the BSI + LDI and the synthesis of channels for 7—5—3 (Landsat 8) and 7—4—2 (Landsat 5). To assess the role of natural conditions in ArcMap package was built model of geotopes, containing data on the absolute height of the area, its position in the system of landscape levels, the genesis and the type of ground. The analysis of the contribution of anthropogenic factors is carried out on the basis of statistics on somons. It was revealed that in 1990—2015 the number of cattle varied from 1.1 to 2.8 million heads, and in all somons (districts) of Srednegobiisky aimag (region) the increase in the number was due to sheep and goats. It was found that a 47 % of the area of aimag has reduced vegetation cover, and to the greatest extent these processes are typical for different formations of the desert steppe subzone in the Northern and Central parts of aimag. Verification of the obtained results was carried out according to the data of field studies of the Russian-Mongolian complex biological expedition of RAS and AMS. Landscapes potentially susceptible to degradation occupy 60 % of the aimagʼs territory. Among the already transformed landscape sites eluvial and transeluvial geotopes of the socle plains on rocks of mixed composition prevail. It is shown that under similar trends of livestock changes pasture ecosystems of somons with predominance of such landscape sites are more prone to degradation than others.

Emergence of Midges (Chironomidae, Diptera) from a Saline Lake as a Source of Organic Matter and Essential Biochemical Compounds for Arid Ecosystems in South Siberia

Midges (Chironomidae, Diptera) are dominant amphibiotic insects in zoobenthos of the large saline Lake Shira located in the arid landscape of South Siberia. During two vegetation seasons we measured the dynamics of chironomid emergence from littoral parts of four stations in the lake. During one of the vegetation seasons we also measured chironomid emergence from profundal parts (depth of 6 m) of the same stations using original floating traps. Both seasonal dynamics and daily means of emergence values significantly varied among the studied stations and depths and were related to the bottom sediment type. The annual export of wet biomass (calculated as the sum of daily values for a vegetation season) was equal to 0.61 g per square meter of water surface and included proportional contributions of the areas with various bottom sediment types. Based on the values of benthic secondary production, we estimated additional annual export of chironomid biomass from the profundal part of the lake of approximately 1 g of wet weight · m−2. Besides, the total export of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) calculated using the previous data on PUFA content in the studied chironomid taxa (~ 2 mg · m−2 year−1) appeared to be one of the lowest when compared to estimations for chironomids and some other amphibiotic taxa from similar steppe landscapes